How does she do it? Eve Aronoff, Jedi-knight chef and big time sweetie-pie,  knows how to make it happen in the kitchen.  Eve gave us two fab options: Chilaquiles with salsa verde– a Mexican dish made with white corn tortillas and  jalapenos, and the second special: eggs scrambled with basil-walnut pesto and sausage.  It was hard to say which one was more popular, as we ran out of both by the end of the morning.  Thanks Eve!  It’s always a pleasure to have you in our home.

Thanks also for all our volunteer help this week. Thursday night prep was a breeze with the prep to-do list organized by Susie Baity-Stearns, and the to-do helpers stepping up to get everything done early than usual:  Steve and JD Rubin, Christine Deucher, Olivia May, Joerg Z., Anita Staubach, Bridgette Guarasci, Marty, Colleen Sherman, and Joanna Campbell deserve a round of applause.  We took time to share a meal during prep, which gives prep night a real party feel–especially this week with folks bringing everything from a lovely fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil salad to homemade lavender gelato.  If you have been thinking about volunteering for Thursday night prep, but aren’t quite sure, the potluck meal alone should convince you  to sign up and have some fun with us.

Friday morning volunteers kept the food coming and the coffee flowing.  And the coffee was really flowing–we actually thought we were going to run out at one point, and our lovely friends and neighbors Jeremy and Aubrey Lopatin were kind enough to make a Roos Roast front porch run to restock our supply.  There were other spur of the moment helpers too–Bridgette Guarasci and Xochil Ruiz, two FM @SELMA regulars who finished their breakfast and headed out to our front yard garden to pick arugula when we needed more greens!  Our other wonderful Friday volunteers include Joanna Campbell, Claire Rice, Nevon Clark, Olivia May, Rachel Chadderdon, Laura Kowal, Bridgette Carr, and Carolyn Christopher.

*****

I’m very happy to report some good news for Repasts, Present & Future, and Friday Mornings @SELMA.  Last week  I finalized a formal affiliation with Slow Food Huron Valley which has satisfied the County Public Health Department’s need for us to be directly connected with fund raising for a 501(c)3 organization.  This connection allows us to be exempt from their jurisdiction and we are no longer considered a food establishment in their opinion.

SFHV is embracing FM @SELMA under their  organization’s umbrella, and I will join the SFHV leadership team as their secretary.  I am looking forward to working with my friend Kim Bayer, current president of SFHV and a FM @SELMA chef, and the rest of the SFHV team to work together towards our shared mission and goals.

Finally, Jeff and I are thrilled to be done with the time and effort it has taken to resolve the unnecessary conflict with the County over these last months.  Now we can turn our focus back to the important activities of making and sharing good food with community while supporting local food and farm initiatives.  Thanks to everyone who has given us support and encouragement to fight the good fight. ~Lisa